RAY McILREAVY, the Ireland under 21 centre and Trinity College captain, is the only newcomer included in the Leinster squad of 26 to meet New South Wales, under lights at Lansdowne Road, tomorrow week.

The team will be chosen next Sunday after the selectors have returned from Wales having, watched Pontypridd play the Australian side the previous day. The team will be announced on Monday.

The only players in the squad who have not played for the province at senior level are McIlreavy and back row Colin, McEntee (Lansdowne), who is a former under 21 international. McEntee was called into the squad during the interprovincial series and European Cup campaign, but did not play or sit on the replacement bench.

There are three out halves in the 26: Alan McGowan, who has been first choice this season; under 21 international Fergal Campion, who has been understudy to McGowan; and John Philpott, who played against Griqualand West this season. It is extremely unlikely that McGowan will be fit. He is in hospital recovering from pneumonia.

Two notable omissions are former Ireland second row Brian Rigney, a first choice in the side earlier this season, and Ray Hennessy, who came on as a replacement during the European Cup semi final against, Cardiff. The three second rows chosen are Neil Francis, Malcolm O'Kelly and Steve Jameson.

Suggestions that the Ireland manager Pat Whelan had asked that prop Nick Popplewell be included are without foundation. Popplewell, has not played for the province, this season and was not available for the European Cup matches. Whelan said yesterday: "I did not make any such request."

Leinster manager, Jim Glennon confirmed that Pat Whelan had not spoken to him on the matter. Popplewell, in fact, is being treated for a torn cornea in his left eye, sustained against Scotland last Saturday. "It sounds worse than it is," says Popplewell. "I am hoping, the trouble will be cleared up by the end of the week."